Smuggler conceals gold in knee caps, held

Mumbai: The Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) of Mumbai customs arrested two persons, including a Kenya Airways crewmember, for alleged gold smuggling on Sunday night.

The arrests were carried out with the help of Sahar police who was informed about the accused being in a hotel in their jurisdiction. A police team then rushed to Grand Hyatt hotel and apprehended the airline crewmember. The officials seized 156 gold biscuits weighing 2.2kg worth Rs 6.37 crore that was concealed in specially made kneecaps and vest belt.

The crewmember was identified as Abdalla Ali Said, attached with Kenya Airways, who had arrived by flight KQ 210.

Officials said that Said passed through the channel and exited the airport without raising any suspicion. After he reached the hotel, the AIU officials received a tip off the said smuggling. The AIU officials informed the Sahar police and passed on Said’s details to them.

“We were informed about the foreign airline crew member. We reached the hotel and with their staff, reached his room and frisk checked the crewmember only to find the gold. The duo was handed over to the AIU for further investigation,” said a policeman.

AIU officials said that the accused had concealed the gold in specially made kneecaps and waist belt and worn it under his trousers.

Upon his questioning by the AIU, he named another accomplice, Ibrahim Ali Hussein. He had come to receive the seized gold but was apprehended soon after the first arrest.